The Finished Goal

2 Chronicles 5:1

Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.

The fact God put in the Scriptures that Solomon finished the building of the temple means that finishing is important to God. It was important for Solomon to start the task, but it was also vital to finish what he started. This project he started did not take a few weeks or months, but it took seven years to complete. Solomon had the character to finish something that took much time to complete, but the joy of looking at what he finished had to be exciting.

Over fifty times in the Scriptures, you will see the word finished or finish. Apparently, finishing what you start is important to God. The last words of Jesus on the cross were, It is finished (John 19:30). Paul said, I have finished my course (2 Timothy 4:7). At the end of life, it will not be how many things you started that defines you, but how many things you finished. Anyone can start something, but few ever get to the finish line.

At the writing of this devotional, I am fifty-six years of age. I have written twenty-eight books and booklets, finished several remodel projects at our church, and am about to finish a building to be used for a fellowship hall and Sunday school classes. By no means do I feel I am finished, but it is a joy to know that I have already finished projects at this point in my life. When I finish something, there are several positive things that finishing will do for you that it has done for me.

First, finishing gives joy. Being able to know you are done brings joy to one’s life. One reason many never find joy is because they never finish what they start. You could find joy in life if you stopped running from the things that you started. If you start something, don't quit until you finish. The finish line always gives joy to the one who looks back at all they had to do to finish.

Second, finishing allows a short time of rest. When I finish writing a book, there is a sense of rest that it gives to me. The load of trying to finish is over, and it allows me a time to rest from what I finished. Even God had a time of rest after He finished creating the world. When I say rest, I do not mean that I don't do anything; I am simply saying there is a rest from carrying the load of trying to finish that God gives you when you finish something.

Third, finishing gives a sense of accomplishment. One reason many have a mid-life crisis is because they have not completed one thing in life, and they look back and realize how much of life they have wasted. The joy that you accomplished something only comes from finishing a big project. The sense of accomplishment is critical for all to enjoy because God made us to complete projects.

Fourth, finishing gives a new vision. There is no need for God to give you a new vision if you have not completed the vision He has already given. The key to being a visionary is to finish the vision you have; then, God will give you another vision to complete.

Fifth, finishing gives you the satisfaction that you have obeyed God. God wants us to finish; therefore, satisfaction is the great result He gives to those because they will know they have pleased their God by finishing.